1.The Diversity of Filamentous Morphologies and Magnetic Sensitivity Modulated by Diverse MagR Expression in Bacteria
Ya-Fei CHANG ; Jing ZHANG ; Peng ZHANG ; Xiu-Juan ZHOU ; Meng-Ke WEI ; Tian-Tian CAI ; Pei-Qi HE ; Jun-Feng WANG ; Can XIE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1439-1456
Objective Magnetoreception, the remarkable ability of diverse animals to sense and utilize the geomagnetic field for orientation and navigation, remains a molecularly unresolved mystery in sensory biology. The putative magnetoreceptor (MagR, previously known as IscA1) is a highly conserved iron-sulfur protein implicated in both magnetoreception and iron metabolism; however, the functional diversity among its cross-species homologs remains poorly understood. Cellular morphology is a key genetically determined trait that can be altered through genetic or environmental modifications—a process known as cell morphology engineering. Constructing engineered cells with specific morphological features and magnetic sensitivity to achieve remote, non-invasive magnetic modulation represents a crucial goal in this field with significant application potential. Therefore, this study aims to systematically investigate the effects of MagR heterologous expression on bacterial morphology and magnetic sensing capabilities, screen for MagR-based magnetically sensitive morphology engineering pathways, and reveal the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods We systematically screened 28 MagR homologous genes from diverse prokaryotic and animal taxa to evaluate their expression and corresponding phenotypic effects in Escherichia coli (E. coli). To compare the differential magnetic responses among bacteria expressing various recombinant MagR proteins, we utilized high-throughput automated bright-field microscopic imaging and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, comprehensive biochemical and biophysical characterizations of iron and iron-sulfur cluster binding were performed using Ferrozine colorimetric assays, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Additionally, 100 mT static magnetic field (SMF) exposure experiments were conducted to assess magnetically tunable phenotypes, while the intrinsic magnetic properties of purified MagR proteins were directly measured using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. Results Our results demonstrated that the heterologous expression of MagR homologs induced varying degrees of bacterial filamentation. From this comprehensive screen, two distinct morphological patterns were identified: hydra (Hydra vulgaris) MagR (hyMagR) promoted uniform cell elongation and filamentation, exhibiting robust magnetic sensitivity manifested as significantly enhanced filamentation under the 100 mT SMF. In contrast, pigeon (Columba livia) MagR (clMagR) induced only low-frequency, extreme filamentation (sporadically exceeding 80 μm) with a relatively weaker magnetic morphological response. Mechanistically, our data unambiguously proved that these phenotypic differences are primarily driven by distinct iron redox preferences rather than total cellular iron accumulation. Specifically, hyMagR preferentially binds ferrous iron (Fe2+), whereas clMagR favors ferric iron (Fe3+) and forms more stable iron-sulfur clusters. Intriguingly, although SQUID magnetometry showed that purified clMagR exhibited approximately five-fold higher mass magnetic susceptibility than hyMagR, its cellular magnetic response was weaker. We hypothesize that the Fe2+-preferred intracellular environment associated with hyMagR overexpression primes the cell for enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via the Fenton reaction. Exposure to an SMF synergizes with this primed redox state, triggering the bacterial SOS response and upregulating cell division inhibitors to efficiently induce uniform filamentation. Conclusion Our findings identify the Fe2+/Fe3+ redox state as a critical determinant of MagR-mediated morphological remodeling and magnetic responsiveness. This discovery suggests a potential strategy for engineering magnetically responsive cellular systems for synthetic biology applications, and provides a plausible framework, which potentially combines intrinsic protein magnetism with redox-state modulation, for further investigating the evolutionary mechanisms of MagR-mediated magnetoreception.
2.The Diversity of Filamentous Morphologies and Magnetic Sensitivity Modulated by Diverse MagR Expression in Bacteria
Ya-Fei CHANG ; Jing ZHANG ; Peng ZHANG ; Xiu-Juan ZHOU ; Meng-Ke WEI ; Tian-Tian CAI ; Pei-Qi HE ; Jun-Feng WANG ; Can XIE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1439-1456
Objective Magnetoreception, the remarkable ability of diverse animals to sense and utilize the geomagnetic field for orientation and navigation, remains a molecularly unresolved mystery in sensory biology. The putative magnetoreceptor (MagR, previously known as IscA1) is a highly conserved iron-sulfur protein implicated in both magnetoreception and iron metabolism; however, the functional diversity among its cross-species homologs remains poorly understood. Cellular morphology is a key genetically determined trait that can be altered through genetic or environmental modifications—a process known as cell morphology engineering. Constructing engineered cells with specific morphological features and magnetic sensitivity to achieve remote, non-invasive magnetic modulation represents a crucial goal in this field with significant application potential. Therefore, this study aims to systematically investigate the effects of MagR heterologous expression on bacterial morphology and magnetic sensing capabilities, screen for MagR-based magnetically sensitive morphology engineering pathways, and reveal the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods We systematically screened 28 MagR homologous genes from diverse prokaryotic and animal taxa to evaluate their expression and corresponding phenotypic effects in Escherichia coli (E. coli). To compare the differential magnetic responses among bacteria expressing various recombinant MagR proteins, we utilized high-throughput automated bright-field microscopic imaging and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, comprehensive biochemical and biophysical characterizations of iron and iron-sulfur cluster binding were performed using Ferrozine colorimetric assays, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Additionally, 100 mT static magnetic field (SMF) exposure experiments were conducted to assess magnetically tunable phenotypes, while the intrinsic magnetic properties of purified MagR proteins were directly measured using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. Results Our results demonstrated that the heterologous expression of MagR homologs induced varying degrees of bacterial filamentation. From this comprehensive screen, two distinct morphological patterns were identified: hydra (Hydra vulgaris) MagR (hyMagR) promoted uniform cell elongation and filamentation, exhibiting robust magnetic sensitivity manifested as significantly enhanced filamentation under the 100 mT SMF. In contrast, pigeon (Columba livia) MagR (clMagR) induced only low-frequency, extreme filamentation (sporadically exceeding 80 μm) with a relatively weaker magnetic morphological response. Mechanistically, our data unambiguously proved that these phenotypic differences are primarily driven by distinct iron redox preferences rather than total cellular iron accumulation. Specifically, hyMagR preferentially binds ferrous iron (Fe2+), whereas clMagR favors ferric iron (Fe3+) and forms more stable iron-sulfur clusters. Intriguingly, although SQUID magnetometry showed that purified clMagR exhibited approximately five-fold higher mass magnetic susceptibility than hyMagR, its cellular magnetic response was weaker. We hypothesize that the Fe2+-preferred intracellular environment associated with hyMagR overexpression primes the cell for enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via the Fenton reaction. Exposure to an SMF synergizes with this primed redox state, triggering the bacterial SOS response and upregulating cell division inhibitors to efficiently induce uniform filamentation. Conclusion Our findings identify the Fe2+/Fe3+ redox state as a critical determinant of MagR-mediated morphological remodeling and magnetic responsiveness. This discovery suggests a potential strategy for engineering magnetically responsive cellular systems for synthetic biology applications, and provides a plausible framework, which potentially combines intrinsic protein magnetism with redox-state modulation, for further investigating the evolutionary mechanisms of MagR-mediated magnetoreception.
3.Value of CT grade in the diagnosis of sacroiliac joint lesions and joint injury in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Shuo LI ; Yuyan ZHANG ; Ke QI
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2026;35(2):229-234
Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of computed tomography (CT) grading in evaluating sacroiliac joint lesions and the extent of joint injury in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) so as to provide evidence-based evidence for CT imaging diagnosis and severity evaluation of AS. Methods A total of 107 patients with AS admitted to the hospital between December 2020 and December 2024 were selected. All patients underwent X-ray and CT examinations, and were graded based on the examination results. The diagnostic value of X-ray and CT in sacroiliac joint lesions and the severity of joint injury in patients with AS was compared. Results The detection rates of osteosclerosis, bone erosion, subchondral bone cystic changes, ankylosis, and soft tissue swelling using CT (90.65%、100.00%、87.85%、41.12%、56.07%、22.43%、33.64%) were higher than those using X-ray (75.70%、84.11%、58.88%、32.71%、48.60%、10.28%、7.48%) (P<0.05). The detection rates of osteosclerosis, bone erosion, subchondral bone cystic changes, joint space narrowing, joint space widening, ankylosis, and soft tissue swelling using CT combined with X-ray (97.20%、10.00%、95.33%、57.94%、73.83%、34.58%、39.25%) were higher than those using CT or X-ray alone (P<0.05). The comparison of the detection of grade I, grade II and grade III joint injury degrees by CT, X-ray and combined examination showed statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The detection rates of grades I and II joint injuries using CT (26.17%、35.51%) were higher than those using X-ray (14.95%、22.43%) (P<0.05). The detection rates of grades 0, I, II, and III joint injury by the combined examination of X-ray and CT were higher than those using X-ray alone (P<0.05). Conclusion CT has greater diagnostic value for sacroiliac joint lesions and severity of joint injury in patients with AS, and allowing for more accurate in AS grading, and combined it with X-ray further improves diagnostic efficacy.
4.Value of CT grade in the diagnosis of sacroiliac joint lesions and joint injury in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Shuo LI ; Yuyan ZHANG ; Ke QI
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2026;35(2):229-234
Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of computed tomography (CT) grading in evaluating sacroiliac joint lesions and the extent of joint injury in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) so as to provide evidence-based evidence for CT imaging diagnosis and severity evaluation of AS. Methods A total of 107 patients with AS admitted to the hospital between December 2020 and December 2024 were selected. All patients underwent X-ray and CT examinations, and were graded based on the examination results. The diagnostic value of X-ray and CT in sacroiliac joint lesions and the severity of joint injury in patients with AS was compared. Results The detection rates of osteosclerosis, bone erosion, subchondral bone cystic changes, ankylosis, and soft tissue swelling using CT (90.65%、100.00%、87.85%、41.12%、56.07%、22.43%、33.64%) were higher than those using X-ray (75.70%、84.11%、58.88%、32.71%、48.60%、10.28%、7.48%) (P<0.05). The detection rates of osteosclerosis, bone erosion, subchondral bone cystic changes, joint space narrowing, joint space widening, ankylosis, and soft tissue swelling using CT combined with X-ray (97.20%、10.00%、95.33%、57.94%、73.83%、34.58%、39.25%) were higher than those using CT or X-ray alone (P<0.05). The comparison of the detection of grade I, grade II and grade III joint injury degrees by CT, X-ray and combined examination showed statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The detection rates of grades I and II joint injuries using CT (26.17%、35.51%) were higher than those using X-ray (14.95%、22.43%) (P<0.05). The detection rates of grades 0, I, II, and III joint injury by the combined examination of X-ray and CT were higher than those using X-ray alone (P<0.05). Conclusion CT has greater diagnostic value for sacroiliac joint lesions and severity of joint injury in patients with AS, and allowing for more accurate in AS grading, and combined it with X-ray further improves diagnostic efficacy.
5.Value of CT grade in the diagnosis of sacroiliac joint lesions and joint injury in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Shuo LI ; Yuyan ZHANG ; Ke QI
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2026;35(2):229-234
Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of computed tomography (CT) grading in evaluating sacroiliac joint lesions and the extent of joint injury in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) so as to provide evidence-based evidence for CT imaging diagnosis and severity evaluation of AS. Methods A total of 107 patients with AS admitted to the hospital between December 2020 and December 2024 were selected. All patients underwent X-ray and CT examinations, and were graded based on the examination results. The diagnostic value of X-ray and CT in sacroiliac joint lesions and the severity of joint injury in patients with AS was compared. Results The detection rates of osteosclerosis, bone erosion, subchondral bone cystic changes, ankylosis, and soft tissue swelling using CT (90.65%、100.00%、87.85%、41.12%、56.07%、22.43%、33.64%) were higher than those using X-ray (75.70%、84.11%、58.88%、32.71%、48.60%、10.28%、7.48%) (P<0.05). The detection rates of osteosclerosis, bone erosion, subchondral bone cystic changes, joint space narrowing, joint space widening, ankylosis, and soft tissue swelling using CT combined with X-ray (97.20%、10.00%、95.33%、57.94%、73.83%、34.58%、39.25%) were higher than those using CT or X-ray alone (P<0.05). The comparison of the detection of grade I, grade II and grade III joint injury degrees by CT, X-ray and combined examination showed statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The detection rates of grades I and II joint injuries using CT (26.17%、35.51%) were higher than those using X-ray (14.95%、22.43%) (P<0.05). The detection rates of grades 0, I, II, and III joint injury by the combined examination of X-ray and CT were higher than those using X-ray alone (P<0.05). Conclusion CT has greater diagnostic value for sacroiliac joint lesions and severity of joint injury in patients with AS, and allowing for more accurate in AS grading, and combined it with X-ray further improves diagnostic efficacy.
6.Exploring the evolution of nutritional support strategies for acute pancreatitis from ESPEN guidelines
Chan-Juan CHEN ; Zi-Qi LIN ; Guo-Qing ZHANG ; Ke FENG ; Wen HU ; Zhi-Yong RAO
Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition 2025;32(4):246-251
Acute pancreatitis(AP)is a common digestive disorder associated with moderate to high nutritional risks,necessitating timely nutritional support.Over the past five decades,medical nutrition therapy for AP has undergone a paradigm shift,transitioning from traditional fasting based on the"pancreatic rest theory"to the current emphasis on early enteral feeding to"awaken the gut."Currently,nutritional treatment has become a cornerstone of comprehensive AP management.The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism(ESPEN),founded in 1980,is a leading professional organization dedicated to advancing research,clinical practice,and education in clinical nutrition and metabolism.To date,ESPEN has published five evidence-based guidelines on nutritional management in pancreatic diseases.This article reviews the evolution of AP nutritional therapy as outlined in these ESPEN guidelines,highlighting key recommendations and their clinical implications.
7.Studies on the Design and Activity of Anticancer Peptides Based on the Weak Acidic Microenvironment of Tumors
Yue-Qi NIE ; Miao JIANG ; Hui-Yan WU ; Chang-Hao DING ; Wei REN ; Jun-Yi CHANG ; Ke CHEN ; Shao-Long DU ; Peng ZHANG ; Zhong-Hua LIU
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(10):1380-1391
Lung cancer poses a serious threat to global public health security.Chemotherapy,as the main strategy for cancer treatment,faces challenges such as high toxicity and drug resistance.Anticancer peptides have the potential of being developed into new anticancer drugs due to their advantages of broad-spectrum anticancer activity,rapid action,and difficulty in generating drug resistance,but they also face shortcomings such as weak activity and strong toxic side effects.The weakly acidic microenvironment of tumors(pH 6.5-6.8)provides a good idea for the design of anticancer peptides of high-efficiency and low-toxicity.Previously,we designed the acid-sensitive antibacterial peptide pHly-1 using the wolf spider(Lycosa singoriensis)toxin Lycosin-Ⅰ as a template.In this study,we found that pHly-1 also had acid-sensitive anticancer activity.Further alanine scanning analysis of pHly-1 was carried out,and we ob-tained a mutant pHTP-2 with better acid sensitivity,whose IC50(half maximal inhibitory concentration)against A549 cells was 15.68 μmol/L at pH 6.6 and was greater than 100 μmol/L at pH 7.4.At pH 6.6,pHTP-2 could act on various lung cancer cell lines and induce the death of A549 cells by rapid ly-sis;at pH 7.4,500 μmol/L pHTP-2 had weak toxicity to red blood cells(the hemolysis rate was ap-proximately 38%)and primary myocardial cells(the inhibition rate was 49.7%,with P<0.05).Analy-sis of its charge,particle size,morphology,and secondary structure showed that at pH 6.6,the histidine in the sequence of pHTP-2 was protonated,increasing the positive charge(P<0.01),decreasing the hy-drated particle size(P<0.05)and forming an α-helical structure to induce membrane lysis of A549 cells.At pH 7.4,it was deprotonated,the positive charge decreases,a β-sheet structure was formed and self-aggregation occurred,limiting its effect on the A549 cell membrane and showing weak activity.In summary,pHTP-2 could respond to the weakly acidic microenvironment of tumors to exert selective cyto-toxic activity,effectively overcoming the shortcomings of anticancer peptides such as low efficiency and high toxicity.Our findings suggest that it is a high-quality lead molecule for anticancer drugs.
8.Exploration on the Mechanism of Wenyang Yiqi Huoxue Prescription in the Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure Based on miR-126/PI3K/Akt Axis
Xianru ZHANG ; Qingming QI ; Yongfu QI ; Ke DU ; Xiaozhen MA ; Chang LIU
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(10):41-50
Objective To explore the mechanism of Wenyang Yiqi Huoxue Prescription(WYYQHXP)in the treatment of chronic heart failure(CHF)by regulating miR-126-3p and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway based on network pharmacology and experimental studies.Methods Active components and targets of WYYQHXP were obtained through TCMSP,SwissTargetPrediction,SwissADME and PubChem.Four miRNA databases were used to obtain miR-126-3p targets,and four disease databases were used to obtain CHF related targets.The intersection of the three was taken as the potential target of action;the protein-protein interaction network relationships of potential targets were explored using STRING and Cytoscape 3.9.1 software,and the main active components and core targets were screened;GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was performed using R 4.2.1 software;Molecular docking was performed on the main active components with the core targets.Isoproterenol was used to induce a rat model of CHF with qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome,and intervened with WYYQHXP.MiR-126-3p and core target expression in coronary endothelial cells were detected by immunohistochemistry,RT-qPCR,and Western blot.Results Network pharmacology screened main active components of WYYQHXP,including β-sitosterol,doustanol,kaempferol,quercetin,baicalein and luteolin,and the core targets of EGFR,VEGFA and AKT1;KEGG was enriched to the signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt,and the 3 core targets were distributed to the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway;molecular docking showed good binding ability of β-sitosterol and stigmasterol to three core targets.Animal experiments showed that WYYQHXP could increase left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular fractional shortening in model rats(P<0.01),reduce serum brain natriuretic peptide content(P<0.01),increase expression of miR-126-3p(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001),the medium-dosage of WYYQHXP could increase mRNA and protein expressions of EGFR,PI3K,AKT1 and VEGFA in coronary endothelial cells(P<0.01).Conclusion WYYQHXP may activate PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by acting on miR-126-3p,thereby restoring endothelial dependent vasodilation of coronary arteries,repairing endothelial dysfunction of coronary arteries,and treating CHF.
9.Establish and application of intelligent management system for ICD coding of diseases and procedures
Yun LI ; Yongfeng LIU ; Ke YANG ; Wenzhong HOU ; Qi ZHANG
Modern Hospital 2025;25(3):438-441
Objective To establish an intelligent ICD coding management system to solve the current difficulties in hos-pital ICD coding management,reduce the error rate of information uploading,and improve the accuracy of coding.Methods An ICD coding management system was constructed,with the national clinical version of ICD coding as the main index system.The mapping relationship between the main index coding and the medical insurance version of ICD coding,as well as the hospital ver-sion of ICD coding,was established to achieve real-time maintenance and adjustment.In accordance with the requirements of na-tional public hospital performance evaluation and hospital level assessment,we will establish the ICD coding"label"function and knowledge base for evaluation indicators,embed them into electronic medical record system(EMR),and implement intelligent prompting functions for clinicians to facilitate systematic statistical analysis of data.Results After the establishment of the sys-tem,the error rate of mapping and uploading information such as disease diagnosis and procedures coding decreased significantly(1.2‰ vs 0.3‰,P<0.05).The accuracy of the main discharge diagnosis and procedures coding has significantly improved(82%vs 91%,P<0.05;78%vs 88%,P<0.05).The satisfaction of clinicians and coders increased significantly(65%vs 82%,P<0.05;79%vs 88%,P<0.05).Conclusion This system can reduce the error rate of mapping and uploading infor-mation,improve the accuracy and completeness of coding,enhance the management level of ICD coding,and promote the high-quality development of medical care.
10.Effects of retropubic and obturator urethral suspension on postoperative maximum flow rate and residual urine volume
Qi WANG ; Hanwei KE ; Zehua DING ; Weiyu ZHANG ; Xiaopeng ZHANG ; Tao XU ; Kexin XU
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(4):717-720
Objective:To compare the changes of maximun flow rate and residual urine volume after tension-free vaginal tape(TVT)and trans-obturator tape(TOT)in the treatment of stress urinary incon-tinence in women.Methods:The clinical data of female patients with stress urinary incontinence who underwent transvaginal midsection tension-free urethral suspension in Peking University People's Hospital from January 2022 to January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed.All the patients were followed up 1 month,6 months and 12 months after surgery.Urodynamics were performed to evaluate urethral sphincter function before surgery.At the same time,B-ultrasonography was improved to determine the residual uri-nary volume of the bladder,and urgent incontinence,detrusor weakness and bladder outlet obstruction were excluded,and the diagnosis was clearly stress incontinence.Maximum flow rate and residual urinary volume were measured during follow-up,and combined with the urinary incontinence questionnaire of the International Urinary Incontinence Advisory Committee,the surgical effect was judged to be cured,im-proved or ineffective according to the degree of improvement of urinary leakage symptoms after surgery.Results:A total of 150 female patients with stress urinary incontinence were included in the study,the average age of the patients was(55.12±10.23)years old,and the follow-up time was 12 months.All patients completed postoperative follow-up,of whom 60 underwent TVT and 90 underwent TOT.The overall effective rates(cure+improvement)1,6,and 12 months after surgery in the TVT group were 93.3%(56/60),91.7%(55/60),and 91.7%(55/60),and those in the TOT group were 92.2%(83/90),90.0%(81/90),90.0%(81/90),respectively,and there was no statistical difference be-tween the two groups.The average maximum urinary flow rates 1,6,and 12 months after surgery in the TVT group were(17.21±4.22)mL/s,(18.05±5.33)mL/s,and(18.37±4.92)mL/s,and those in the TOT group were(18.21±5.32)mL/s,(19.05±4.33)mL/s,and(19.27±4.92)mL/s,re-spectively,and there was no statistical difference between the two groups.The mean residual urine volume 1,6,and 12 months after surgery in the TVT group was(13.21±5.22)mL,(18.25±5.33)mL,and(16.37±7.92)mL,and those in the TOT group was(11.21±6.32)mL,(13.05±5.33)mL,and(11.27±5.92)mL,respectively,and there was no statistical difference between the two groups.Compared with preoperative levels,there were no significant differences in the average maximum flow rate and the residual urine volume in both group at 1,6,and 12 months after surgery.Conclusion:Both TVT and TOT are effective in the treatment of stress incontinence,and have no effect on postopera-tive maximum flow rate and residual urine volume.

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